Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews, Lucinda Brant! I would like to thank you for taking time out of your writing to interview with us.

Please tell us about yourself.

I'm an Aussie, married, with one daughter and one dog. I work full-time in University Administration and have lived in the US, England and Scotland. At the present time I live in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, which was voted in the top five most livable cities in the world. And I agree. It's a lovely place to raise a family. I write in the evenings and on weekends.

I know you write historicals. Are there other genres that you have written?

I also write historical mysteries also set in 1700s England. At the moment I have one historical mystery release, A Deadly Engagement, and am writing more in the series.

Please tell us a little about The Midnight Marriage.

The Midnight Marriage is a Georgian Historical Romance set in Bath and Paris in 1770, around the time of Marie Antoinette's marriage to the ill-fated Louis XVI. Julian, Marquis of Alston and Deborah Cavendish are married off as children at midnight then forever parted. Nine years later, Julian returns incognito from Europe to claim his bride. But Deborah has no recollection that the wedding ever took place. After all, Deborah was only 12 years old at the time and has been led to believe by her cowardly brother (who can't bring himself to tell his strong-willed younger sister the truth) that her memories of a midnight marriage are just a dream. So Julian must woo Deborah into eloping with him. Actually, falling in love with the delectable Julian is easy for Deborah and she is as strong-minded as she is beautiful but inclined to let her heart rule her head if she believes what she is doing is right. So, of course and they elope. It is only after the marriage is consummated that Deborah learns she has been cruelly deceived by the man she loves, and discovers that her husband is the notorious Marquis of Alston who is wanted by French authorities for seducing a Farmer-General's daughter with the false promise of marriage. It is then a question of whether Deborah can forgive her husband for such a cruel deception, and if their marriage can survive beyond seduction. She travels to Paris to confront him and to discover who he really is: the loveable man she married or the calculating seducer portrayed by the malicious gossips of Polite Society and in the Parisian press.

Are you working on anything at the moment?

Yes and no! How vague! : ) My writing is on hold at present because it is Easter school holidays here in Australia, so my daughter is home. We've been chilling out and watching movies.

What future books can we look forward to from Lucinda Brant?

I'm working on the second in the historical mystery series, and also another as yet untitled historical romance.

What is the best and worst thing about being a writer?

Well, for me, it's having enough hours in the day to write down everything I want to say. Because I work full time and have a family to look after it's always a struggle to find time to write. As a consequence I've never had writer's block because I can't afford to!

Is writing something you've always wanted to do?

It is something I have to do! : ) Yep, it's a compulsion. I think it must be for most writers.

Who or what inspired you?

Oh, many writers have inspired me. I've been an avid reader since little, but I guess I'd have to say the historical writers Jean Plaidy, Taylor Caldwell, Anya Seton and Georgette Heyer were the most inspirational. In fact I dedicated The Midnight Marriage to these four female writers.

Do you have a favorite author?

I think I answered this in the above question. As well as the four above I'd add Jane Austen, R.F. Delderfield and George Elliott for fiction. Roy Porter, Stella Tillyard and Antonia Fraser are my all time favourite non-fiction history writers.

What is "a day in the life" of Lucinda Brant like?

Up at 7am to get ready for work at the University, where I manage a rural health office and take care of the yrs 1-3 Medical students, pick my daughter up from school at 5pm, cook dinner, then we sit down as a family and watch an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (my daughter is now old enough to watch this show, and we borrowed the DVDs from a friend). She is totally hooked on Buffy! : ) Then I write from 9pm until about midnight, when I force myself to go to bed because it's up again at 7am to start another day.

Do you have a set writing schedule?

Yep. 9pm -midnight every night.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do? Hobbies?

When am I not writing??? : ) Seriously, I read. I also collect non-fiction titles on the 18thC for my library. I have a really nice home study where I cocoon myself with my books. I also swim (do laps) every second morning to try and stay in shape, and of course take my Italian Greyhound, Bella, for walks.

Your historicals take place in Georgian times. What is it about this time period that compels you to set your stories in that era?

Honestly, I don't know. I studied history at school and university, I have a degree in Political Science and History (double major) so history is my thing, but as for the 18thC, my theory is that I had a past life in that century, because I just have an affinity for that time and place, clothes, politics, society etc. Like I belong there. I've felt this way about 1700s England since I was eleven years old. Strange, but sort of exciting as well.

Have you written other genres in the past or have plans to in the future?

No, I think I'll stick with historical romance and historical mystery, all set in the 18thC! It's what I know and love, so I hope that translates into my writing for the reader.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

NEVER EVER GIVE UP. I can't stress this enough. Also, write what you enjoy reading. Don't worry about what's hot now, or what might be hot tomorrow, as far as what's selling, just write from the heart and you'll be successful. My favourite saying is "It can take 20 yrs to be an overnight success". May sound crazy, but there's a lot of truth in that for many writers.

Is there anything you would like to add to this interview?

If readers would like to learn more about my writing they can visit my website. Here they can also check out the gorgeous cover by Jenny Dixon for The Midnight Marriage. I'm biased but I think it is one of the most beautiful covers yet for an historical romance. And thank you Fallen Angels for this opportunity to be interviewed. I really appreciate it.
Best
Lu

Thank you again for interviewing with us; it was a pleasure to meet you!

Interviewed by:
Cindy